One of the region’s most popular visitor attractions has secured another award for its work in bringing back mainline dining excursions.

Last year the North Norfolk Railway ran the first scheduled steam trains between the heritage railway and mainline stations since services were axed half a century ago.

And its work successfully setting up and operating services through to Cromer from Sheringham won top prize in the large groups category at the Heritage Railway Association annual awards.

The Railway operates steam and diesel heritage services between Sheringham and Holt.

Trevor Eady, marketing and PR manager, said: “The work on setting up dining trains to include Cromer started over two years ago and has taken many hours of work to achieve.

“The stock, to be used on the services, has been upgraded as required for mainline running and the work behind the scenes to satisfy the Office

of Rail Regulation requirements has been extensive.

“The project came to fruition in August 2016 when the first trains ran across the crossing at Sheringham to Cromer carrying invited guests and later that day fare-paying customers experiencing the special dining service.

“In all the North Norfolk Railway operated eight services during August and September and will be offering further opportunities later this year to experience these special dining services.”

The award was presented by Sir Peter Hendy, Chairman of Network Rail, at the awards in Wolverhampton earlier this month.

The Railway also won the Graham Allen award for the design of the new buildings at Sheringham station along with the People’s choice award relating to the same facility.

It was also voted the best attraction by the Norfolk and Suffolk Tourists’ Attractions Association.

The HRA also recognised the restoration work to Locomotive 76084, a standard 4 locomotive which was rescued from the Barry scrapyard and rebuilt by a team who were presented the John Coiley Award at the event. This locomotive spends most of the year at the North Norfolk Railway and was the locomotive that provided the steam traction for the Cromer services, having been restored to mainline standard.